Vernon-based scholarship taking applications
VERNON — The John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund is accepting applications for the 2015 school year.
They can be obtained at the guidance office of the students schools and must be returned by March 16, and also can be found the John Cocula Scholarship facebook page. The John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor the legacy of John Cocula, a former teacher and coach in the Garfield School System and long-time resident of Vernon, and his efforts to encourage students to further their education.
The award provides a $1,500 scholarship for each student named to an accredited school for higher education and is funded through private donors and an annual Golf Outing.
"John would be proud to see these students be able to go on to a higher education program," said Andrea Cocula, founding member of the John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund and his wife. "Together with the support of so many outstanding donors and members of the Sussex County community, we will continue to honor John’s vision of helping exceptional students to further their dreams."
Competition for the scholarships, which will partially fund selected students’ education in 2015 academic year, was intense. The John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund anticipates receiving numerous applications from students in Vernon and Garfield High Schools and will reviewe their credentials before arriving at this year’s winners. Eligible students must be a resident of Garfield or Vernon and must attend an accredited higher education program. Selection criteria includes academic performance, two letters of recommendation, participation in sports on some level and a brief personal essay of 200 words or more.
"It is an honor to team up and work with all the members of the committee to support and encourage these talented students," said Austin Carew, chairman of the John Cocula Memorial Scholarship Fund. “And this Fund was itself born of a vision of John Cocula that, ‘to help one child is a lifetime reward."
Golf OutingThe John Cocula Memorial Golf Outing will be held at Black Bear Golf Club on June 26, with a barbeque lunch at noon, 2 p.m. shotgun start and 7 p.m. buffet dinner with an auction.
Entry is $100 per golfer and is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Corporate sponsors are welcome and duly recognized.